June 26, 2016 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs Charleston Battery game review (from charlestonbattery.com)
Battery scores late to beat TFC II Mueller TORONTO – Romario Williams scored late to lift the Charleston Battery over Toronto FC II at Ontario Soccer Centre Sunday night. The Battery spent the majority of the 90 minutes in its attacking half, controlling the game in every facet from the outset. Despite sustained possession, Charleston had a tough time creating chances in the first half. After the break, the Battery looked more dangerous in the attacking third, with the front six causing TFC II’s back four several problems. With a strong wind at its back, Charleston relentlessly pressured Toronto in its defensive third and forced the Young Reds to try to play out of the back. That pressure ultimately led to the winning goal. Substitute Ricky Garbanzo and Zach Prince forced a turnover deep in Toronto’s half that sprung Justin Portillo loose through the middle. After picking up the ball, Portillo found his central midfield partner Ataulla Guerra posted up at the top of the penalty area. Guerra laid the ball off first time into Garbanzo’s path, freeing him up for a shot from about 16 yards out. TFC II goalkeeper Phil DiBernardo made the initial save on Garbanzo’s shot, but the rebound fell kindly to Williams who smashed the ball into the open net. The opportunistic goal was the Jamaican’s seventh on the year. Williams’ tally was the first Battery goal from the run of play since the previous meeting between the two teams on May 14th. The center forward will be happy to have found the back of the net again after failing to do so in his previous five appearances. Alex Tabmakis earned his second straight start and shutout in Toronto. The rookie goalkeeper was well protected by his back four, led by captain Shawn Ferguson. Charleston’s veteran defense handled Toronto’s young attack, spearheaded by 16-year-old Shaan Hundal, with ease making Tambakis’ night fairly mundane. The win was Charleston’s fourth straight on the road. The three points picked up in against TFC II will keep the team in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Battery faces a big week following the win in Toronto. The team returns home to face long-time rival Richmond Kickers on July 2nd and world soccer power Rangers FC on July 6h. Following the exhibition with Rangers, Charleston will head to Louisville looking to upset the league-leaders at home. BOX SCORE: CHARELSTON BATTERY: Alex Tambakis, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Shawn Ferguson (yellow card, 70th), Emmanuel Adjetey, Zach Prince, Justin Portillo, Ataulla Guerra (Neveal Hackshaw, 80th), Maikel Chang (Dante Marini, 90th), Heviel Cordoves (Ricky Garbanzo, 63rd; yellow card, 89th), Romario Williams (goal, 79th) (Chris Tsonis, 85th) Unused subs: Odisnel Cooper, Forrest Lasso TORONTO FC II: Phil DiBernardo, Wesley Charpie, Mitchell Taintor, Skylar Thomas (yellow card, 70th; 90th), Anthony Osorio, Liam Fraser, Aidan Daniels (yellow card, 74th), Brian James, Shaan Hundal, Salvador Bernal, Bubacarr Jobe (Malik Johnson, 58th) (Ayo Akinola, 66th) Unused subs: Gianluca Catalano, Robert Boskovic, Luca Uccello, Phil Boerger This entry was posted in News on June 26, 2016 by Sarah Cardamone.
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